August 30, 2010

Contact: Kristen Bossi

(202) 225-4476

DANBURY - Today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) visited Vet House in Danbury for a tour and to announce that for the first time, Danbury is receiving 15 new federal housing vouchers dedicated to housing homeless veterans in the city.  Currently, there are at least 1,000 homeless veterans in Connecticut on any given night, and in the 5th Congressional District, 10% of homeless adults have served in the military.

"These new housing resources will change lives.  No one should have to go without a roof over their heads, but veterans in particular deserve a place to call home given all they have done to serve our country.  I'm thrilled to see Danbury get its first dedicated housing vouchers and I'm looking forward to seeing how these resources will impact our homeless veterans," said Murphy.

Since learning from veterans advocates that Connecticut was in desperate need of federal housing funds for homeless veterans, Murphy has been pushing for additional resources.  In April of 2009, Murphy organized a meeting between the Veterans Administration (VA) Director of Homelessness Programs Pete Dougherty and state veterans' leaders to advocate for more federal housing vouchers for homeless veterans.  Within months, the Waterbury area was granted its first 35 vouchers.  Then recently, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced another round of vouchers, including for the first time, 15 for Danbury.

Housing vouchers for veterans are allocated under a joint initiative between the VA and HUD called the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).  Murphy was joined by Vet House and HUD-VASH officials.

Vet House I is part of the "Housing for Heroes" Program in Danbury, and provides temporary housing for veterans in need.  Vet House II is currently under construction, and Murphy secured $190,000 for that project. 

Veterans who are interested in participating in the HUD-VASH program may call John Sullivan, HUD-VASH Coordinator at 203-479-8092.  For information about other VA homelessness programs, veterans may contact the VA Homeless Team Clinic at 203-710-6529.

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